OUYA Starts Shipping $99 Game Console

The inexpensive option features streaming media apps, games, and more.

The little game console that everyone thought would never happen — well, it’s happening. OUYA has started shipping, and it can be had for just $99.99.

OUYA offers over 170 games that are free to try, as well as media apps in full 1080p HD. The company says that the number of games will continue to grow, seeing as how there are currently 17,000 registered game developers on-board. That lineup includes Sega and Square Enix, as well as smaller studios, such as Double Fine Productions and Tripwire Interactive.

Some of the games available at launch include Final Fantasy III, Flashout 3D, You Don’t Know Jack, Chronoblade, and Sega’s Sonic games. OUYA says that gamers can try out options, with no obligation to buy. If you do opt for a little something, it’s delivered digitally. No more discs to store and/or scratch up!

It also has several streaming AV options, available through Twitch.tv, XBMC, TuneIn, Crunchyroll, iHeartRadio, and more.

The actual console measures just 3-by-3 inches, with an open operating system and a custom interface built on NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 chipset. Other features include support for 1080p HD and surround sound. Also, there’s an OUYA controller, which includes two analog sticks, a D-Pad, eight action buttons, a system button, a touchpad, and Bluetooth support.

“It’s incredible to think that a little under a year ago OUYA was just an idea — we wanted to do something completely new in console gaming: build a $99 game console, with no discs to buy, open to all developers, and affordable to all gamers,” said Julie Uhrman, CEO and co-founder of OUYA. “Today, OUYA is real. Console gaming has never needed something new more than it does now.”

OUYA is available now via Amazon, BestBuy, Target, and several other major retailers. The system is selling for $99.99, with additional controllers available for $49.99 each.